Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
TikTok to Trading Floor: Why Gen Z are Focusing Early on Investing Towards Their Future
Moneymagpie Team
1st May 2025
In the past trading was often viewed as something for the old, rich and financial stable crowd. Understanding stock markets and bonds felt like a distant concept for teens and young adults. Gen Z is now rewriting the script, born holding a mobile phone, swiping with lightspeed and a growing awareness of economic uncertainty, this generation is investing earlier than ever.
- Influence of Social Media
- The Pandemic Changed Financial Outlook
- Building Wealth
- Fear of Falling Behind
- Easier and More Accessible
- Changing Opinions on The Work World
1. Influence of Social Media
Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube have transformed the education of young adults with free resources to financial education. The use of hashtags #Financialindependence (167.4k posts) and #Trading (13.6m posts) gained millions of views amongst the youngsters. The 60-second, easy-to-digest clips have helped offer free knowledge around the world. Many influencers are also Gen Z themselves, giving great role models to look up to. They often share real-time investing experiences and budgeting hacks, encouraging Gen Z to start investing earlier.
2. The Pandemic Changed Financial Outlook
Gen Z’s upbringing has been shaped by economic turbulence. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the job market for many. Events like this are a reminder that financial security isn’t guaranteed. As a result, many youngsters are building multiple streams of income, and some may even be preparing for the unexpected. This mindset has accelerated their interest in investing.
3. Building Wealth
More than any other generation, Gen Z are thinking towards their future. The basic salary doesn’t allow for financial freedom anymore when you have rising student debt and the cost of living is higher than it’s ever been before. Side hustles and entrepreneurship go hand in hand with their investment strategies, and that’s the way a lot of young adults are going in 2025.
4. Fear of Falling Behind
With the likes of Instagram and TikTok, it’s easy for young people to compare themselves to others their age. As they scroll, they might see different people from their generation enjoying a luxurious holiday, buying their own house or flaunting their new expensive car. When they see their peers sharing their financial wins, it creates FOMO (fear of missing out). By investing, young people can strive towards financial freedom and feel like they aren’t being left behind. Investing early isn’t just a good idea, it’s now socially reinforced.
5. Easier and More Accessible
If you haven’t heard of crypto, you must be living under a rock! Anyone can invest in Crypto, and this is one reason why this form of investment is popular amongst Gen Z. It’s also useful for those who don’t have a considerable amount of savings, because people can choose to invest a little or a lot in it. Investor-friendly apps also easy to understand, making them perfect for beginners who are keen to learn more.
With social media and the internet, information about investing is also much more accessible. Gen Z have a whole world of information at their fingertips, whereas the older generation had to learn from print media and word of mouth.
6. Changing Opinions on The Work World
Up until recently, working 9-5 was the normal. However, many young people are interested in a work-life balance, so they can enjoy personal experiences like travelling. Investing allows young people to make memories while also enjoying financial security. Investing in Bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrency allows people to make money for the future and the present.
Final Thoughts
Social media and the internet can greatly influence young people and have made information about investing a lot easier to find. From a fear of falling behind, wanting financial freedom and caring about their future, young people are investing more than ever.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
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